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From: "Jeff Arnold" <JARNOLD@naco.org>
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Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 6:52 AM
Attach: Talking Points.lslamic Centers.doc
Saabject: Forwarded from the White House ,
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«Microsoft Word 4» Date: September 18, 2001
To: Elected Officials ~9~ ~ r
From: Ruben Barrales
Deputy Assistant to the President, and
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
RE: Visits to Islamic centers, organizations and businesses across the
United
States
The President is grateful for your support and generous offers to assist in
light of the recent terrorist tragedy on September 11, 2001.
Along those lines, the President would encourage you to consider visiting an
Islamic center, mosque, organization or business, as he himself did
yesterday, to demonstrate public support for the Muslim community and the
Islamic faith in your jurisdiction.
Our resolve to bring these terrorists to justice must not be used to vilify
any community or religious group. Your leadership will serve to minimize
some of the fear and anxiety in the Muslim American community and will
demonstrate that all Americans stand united against our common enemy of
terror and evil.
The recent reports of incidents against Muslim Americans are very
disturbing. The President believes it is important to speak out against
anti-Muslim/Arab American violence.
Attached are talking points that may be helpful during your visit. Also, as
a resource guide, please visit htt~www.islamicfinder.or~ to find an
appropriate location near you. The Islamic Finder is a database of Islamic
centers, organizations and businesses across the United States.
Please let us know if you are able to visit an Islamic center this week.
If you have any questions, please contact White House Office of
Intergovernmental Affairs at 202/456-2896.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. COQ' N°`
(See attached file: Talking Points.Islamic Centers.doc) File No..
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9/ 19/01
balking I~oints for visits to Islamic enters across ~nlerica
• The President visited the Islamic Center of Washington CC on Monday, September
17, 2001 to demonstrate his respect for Muslims and the faith of Islam.
• The American people, including Muslim Americans, were appalled and outraged at
last Tuesday's attacks. And, so were Muslims all across the world.
• We know that terrorism is not the way of Islam. These acts of violence against
innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith.
• The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about.
Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They don't represent Islam.
They represent evil and war.
• A quote from the Koran (English translation): "In the long run, evil in the extreme will
be the end of those who do evil. Por that they rejected the signs of Allah and held
them up to ridicule."
• When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people
around the world.
• Muslim Americans are part of the fabric of America. America counts millions of
Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution
to our country. And, they need to be treated with respect.
• In our anger and emotion, we must treat our fellow Americans with respect.
• Women who cover their heads in traditional Islamic custom must feel comfortable
going outside their homes. Moms who wear cover must be not intimidated in
America. That's not the America we know. That's not the America we value.
• We have been told that some fear to leave their homes; some don't want to go
shopping for their families; some don't want to go about their ordinary daily routines.
They're afraid they'll be intimidated because they are wearing cover. That should
not and that will not stand in America.
• Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger
don't represent the best of America, they represent the worst of humankind, and they
should be ashamed of that kind of behavior.
• This is a great country because we share the same values of respect and dignity
and human worth. We are all outraged, we are all sad. And, all of us, including
Muslim Americans love America just as much as anyone else here.
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